United Lutheran Appeal Organizations
(Click on Organization Name to go to their websites)
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
For 170 years Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary has been an Ambassador for
Christ, charged with its unique and essential mission: to prepare and form women
and men for the ministries of the church. This is how God is making appeal
through us, as the seminary enriches theological education, nurtures discipline
for discipleship and offers practical preparation for service among the whole
people of God.
Individual Christians can develop strong faith and congregations can incarnate
the living Christ in the world, but only the seminaries of the church can
prepare pastors and lay professional servant-leaders for the church. That is the
seminarys distinctive and sacramental gift to the church. Your support of
Southern Seminary enables and strengthens Gods appeal for all to be Ambassadors
of Christ
For more information, contact:
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
4201 North Main Street
Columbia SC 29203
(803) 786-5150
Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center
Early in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is already at work as he calls disciples,
teaches in the Synagogue, heals many of their illnesses, and casts out demons.
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a
deserted place and then he prayed.
We live lives filled with stress and demands, and we run the risk of failing to
remember whom, and whose we are. At Caroline Furnace, the young and the old
alike can utilize several hundred acres set apart on a mountaintop to pray, and
to hear the still small voice of God. Yes one can, and should pray in all
places, but this kind of praying in a deserted place, like what Jesus was doing
before he went to work, is different.
Jesus knew the value and necessity of time apart, away from all of the regular
sights and sounds. It properly prepared him for his work. It can also prepare
you. Please get up and come out to this deserted place to pray and play.
For more information, contact:
Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center
2239 Camp Roosevelt Road
Fort Valley VA 22652
(540) 933-6266
National Lutheran Home
The Mission Statement of The National Lutheran Home has remained the same since
1890. To provide for aged persons whose circumstances may require a comfortable
residence with board, clothing, employment, medical attention, and such other
comforts as Christian brotherhood may dictate. (December 13, 1890)
In the year 2002 and beyond, the mission will continue the words may be
modernized the methods, procedures and programs will be updated, but the
loving care will continue as it has for 112 years. The daily attention of the
Homes medical director and nursing staff of 170 provide hands-on care for all
300 residents.
The National Lutheran Home lives its faith in Christ daily by caring for the
residents of the Main Home and the Independent Living Program. The Homes 112
years of experience in caring for people is an asset that is difficult to find
or duplicate. Holistic care is offered that provides for spiritual and physical
wellness with activities provided for all levels of ability. The mission of the
Home is to minister to residents needs and desires in a Christian atmosphere
and setting. The Home provides independent living as well as skilled nursing
care for long-term residents, short-term stay residents and respite care.
For more information contact:
Resource Development
The National Lutheran Home
9701 Viers Drive
Rockville MD 20850
(301) 424-9560 Ext. 207
Lutheran Council of Tidewater
We are all called to Live the Faith by the words of Matthew 25 feed the
hungry, visit the imprisoned, comfort the sick, clothe the naked These are the
things that our communities are called upon to do daily. Over the past few years
the support granted to LCT has allowed staff and volunteers to Live the Faith by
visiting and comforting, by clothing and feeding.
Your involvement has allowed us to help pay utility bills for the aged and
chronically ill, provide food and medications for the homeless, visit youth who
are in prison, and comfort people as they face the end of their lives. It is
impossible to put numbers to all of the activity but there is an estimation that
over 1,500 people annually are shown how to "Live our Faith."
The four programs that are currently in existence have and will continue to make
a difference in the quality of life for people who may have lost hope. You give
a measure of hope through your support of all of the ministries even as you
have done it to the least of these
For more information contact:
Lutheran Council of Tidewater
400 W. Olney Road,
Norfolk VA 23507
(757) 623-0155
Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, Inc
We live in a time of rapid change in our personal lives, at home, at work, and
in our congregations. Psychologists frequently define HEALTH as the ability to
successfully face the constant challenges of change.
In order to help Virginia Synod congregations manage change, Lutheran Family
Services of Virginia has implemented the Healthy Congregations in partnership
with the Virginia Synod.
The program will train congregational leaders in a systems approach to better
understand and manage change, tension, and conflict. All Virginia Synod
congregations will be trained over a five-year period, using both the Healthy
Congregations prevention and education model and the crisis intervention
Bridgebuilders model.
The five year project is designed to enhance the capacity of all congregations
in the synod to manage change, reduce conflict, and plan constructively for
their future.
In this time of tremendous change and national tragedy, this program offers
timely resources so that congregations are better prepared to be oases of health
in a world gone crazy, says program coordinator, The Rev. J. Luther Mauney.
Imagine not being able to read a menu, stop sign, newspaper, or book. Imagine
the rewards that teaching someone to read must have.
Seventeen-year-old David had always been academically below his grade level due
to behavior issues. Labeled seriously emotionally disturbed, the streetwise
youth was placed in various special education programs before being referred to
Minnick Education Center. His mother was skeptical that Minnick could help her
son because of the numerous other unsuccessful placements.
As Lutheran Family Services of Virginia staff works with David on his emotional
and behavioral needs, reading teacher Annamary Emick is teaching a now-motivated
David to read where others had failed. Spending time with David one-on-one, she
offers him the support that he needs to be successful.
Lutheran Family Services of Virginia administers Minnick Education Center with
the same mission as all our programs strengthening families.
Imagine Davids mothers pride when he read a book to her for the very first
time.
For More Information Contact:
Lutheran Family Services of Virginia Inc.
PO Box 21609
Roanoke VA 24018
(540) 774-7100
Chaplain Service of the Churches of Virginia, Inc.
For over 80 years chaplains have been assigned to the prisons and juvenile
institutions in Virginia.
Chaplains are living the faith as they minister to the women men and youth that
are incarcerated.
The people in prison are angry, lonely, depressed, guilt ridden and anxious
about life after their release.
Chaplains serve as pastors who introduce the prisoners to Jesus Christ, the
Savior of the World.
The majority of the youth, women and men will be released and return to their
home communities. The hope and prayer of the chaplains and volunteers is that
people will have a life changing experience and that they will be Living the
Faith in prison and after their return to home.
Remember those in prison as though in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
For more information contact:
Chaplain Service of the Churches of Virginia
2317 Westwood Avenue, 103A
Richmond VA 23230
(804) 358-7650
ROANOKE COLLEGE
The dollars received from the United Lutheran Appeal have been placed in the
Colleges Restricted Roanoke Fund designated to Scholarship for Lutheran
Students. Increased scholarship aid is a top priority at Roanoke College.
Scholarship support is a vital link to providing students the financial
assistance needed to allow them to concentrate on their academic achievement.
Federal funding sources are not as plentiful as they once were. Students who
need help will turn to the college for the support they need to get a quality
education. Roanoke College is committed to giving financial assistance to
deserving and talented students so they can achieve their aspirations and
dreams.
The College is in the midst of a $65 million dollar campaign, The Difference.
President David M. Gring has saidThe campaign is not only about reaching a $65
million goal though that is an ambitious effort. The campaign is directly a
call to reaffirm Roanokes distinction for this and future generations and to
secure the priorities of the campaign. What Roanoke offers demanding,
personally oriented undergraduate liberal arts education is to precious to
risk. Therefore, one of the priorities of this campaign is to raise $27,500,000
for Endowed Student Financial Aid.
As Roanoke College strives to serve the Church, there can be no more important
role than to provide an outstanding educational opportunity to the Churchs
college-age students. To offer the benefits of Lutheran-related education to
qualified students and to provide for preministerial education, this generation
of Lutherans must concern themselves with increased scholarship aid.
In many cases, Lutheran students are of limited means. Scholarship assistance,
which makes the cost of Roanoke College accessible to those students and
families, is a great practical and moral concern to the college. The colleges
goal is to attract Lutheran students who are strong academically. Additionally
scholarship funds will allow Roanoke to continue to attract a diverse and
well-qualified student body in the face of modern day challenges.
Recently, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching revised the
institutional grouping that U.S. News & World Report uses as the basis for its
annual higher education ranking process. In this process, a total of over 200
schools were reclassified, with Roanoke College moving from a school of regional
concern to one of national scope. Roanoke is now considered along with the elite
undergraduate institutions in our nation.
For more information contact:
Kathryn K. Buchanan
Assistant to the President for
Church Relations and Major Gifts
Salem, Virginia 24153
(540) 375-2268
Virginia Lutheran Homes, Inc.
John was a resident in the Brandon Oaks Health Center in Roanoke. With the onset
of dementia he was no longer able to live with his wife in their apartment at
Brandon Oaks. Alone most of the day in his room, Johns mental decline
accelerated.
At this time, Mike Sherman, a seminarian from Lutheran Theological Southern
Seminary serving as a pastoral intern in the chaplaincy department, was assigned
to John. Mike and John quickly developed a relationship, especially since both
played the tuba. Mike discovered that John, an ex-Marine, loved Sousa marches.
With boom box in tow and Sousa CDs in hand, Mike visited his new friend often,
and soon the right wing of the Health Center sounded as if a parade was heading
its way.
Mike encouraged John to attend daily chapel services, and they prayed together
regularly.
One day, Johns wife, who visited him every day, passed away unexpectedly.
Accompanied by the internship supervisor, Rev. Bob Ward, Mike shared the sad
news with John. As the reality of his wifes death sank in, Johns hand
instinctively reached out to Mikes. Drawing closer, Mike spoke words of
sympathy, comfort and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was present with them
in that very moment. At the funeral and in the days that followed, the
incarnational presence and words of the pastoral intern consoled John.
A life was touched with the Gospel and a future pastor was formed. Through your
support of the United Lutheran Appeal, Virginia Lutheran Homes provides pastoral
care for the residents of Brandon Oaks and a unique internship experience for
Lutheran seminarians.
For More Information contact:
Ellen I. Hinlicky
Director of Development
Virginia Lutheran Homes, Inc.
4235 Colonial Avenue, SW
Roanoke VA 24018
(540) 776-2613
Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center
It was the first week of camp and there were many new campers who had never
attended camp at Hungry Mother. All of the staff and volunteers were excited
about the coming weeks of camp and the chance to have an influence in childrens
lives.
I first noticed Johnny after his parents had dropped him off on Sunday. Unlike
all of the other children, Johnny was not he least bit excited to be at camp.
During the opening games, Johnny just stood there and sadly looked on. I figured
he was just nervous about being in a new and different place and that eventually
he would be able to have fun. The next two days were miserable for him, I dont
think he said or sang two words during meals, singing or any of the activities
that all of the other campers were enjoying.
On Wednesday, neither Johnnys counselors nor myself thought that he was making
any progress. It is very difficult to watch someone who is having a difficult
time relating and adjusting while other children have no problem at all. Then,
on Thursday, it began to happen. I spied Johnny singing faintly at the evening
campfire and then at evening devotions he began talking with his cabin group,
the spirit was working. On Friday, the last day, Johnny was having the time of
his Life. It was almost as if I saw a new person transformed by just a few days
at camp. The spirit was truly working in this child. It was the final campfire
when I knew that God had truly been at work in this childs life. Just before we
sang the song Sanctuary, Johnny stood up and asked if he could help the
counselors lead the singing. Johnny, together with the counselors and all of his
new friends, then sang, Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary, pure and holy, tried
and true. With thanksgiving, Ill be a living Sanctuary for you.
This story is just one of many that volunteers and staff can share about the
power and influence a week of camp can have on a childs life. At Hungry Mother
Lutheran Camp we strive to be ambassadors for Christ through our programs and
the rental of our facilities which helps us to be Ambassadors for Christ.
Your contribution will help Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center continue to
upgrade and expand our present facilities.
One of our major priorities is to upgrade our water system. The well and pump
system that we use today is the original system that was put in back in 1956.
Smyth County will be running a water and sewer line by the camp in the near
future. We estimate our cost of getting hooked up to be about $7,000 to $10,000.
We plan to expand our bunkhouse area with more sleeping quarters and
restrooms.
We plan to winterize the camp so that it can be more useful to more people
more of the time.
We plan to add an additional recreational field (for softball, volleyball,
etc.) and add some more parking space for larger rallies and reunions.
We plan to build a walking bridge across the creek to provide better access to
each side of the creek.
We plan to update the dining hall with new tables, new chairs, and new lounge
area.
We plan t pave our entrance road from the state road to the creek.
For more information contact:
Rev. Ed Schaack, Director
Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center
214 East Buck Ave.
Rural Retreat, VA 24368
Phone: (540) 686-5833
E-mail: edschaack@tcia.net
